BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Four Moravian College men's basketball players scored in double figures as the Greyhounds posted a 93-79 victory over visiting The Catholic University of America in Landmark Conference action in Johnston Hall Saturday afternoon.
The Hounds improve to 13-6 overall and 6-2 in Landmark Conference play with the victory.
"I thought it was a great team effort from top to bottom," commented Head Coach Justin Potts. "We had 27 assists on 31 made field goals. We really shared the ball. I thought our pressure did some really good things to disrupt them. Being down Jimmy (Murray) and John (Hargraves), guys stepped up and made contributions. That shows the depth of our program, which we always feel is a strength."
Junior guard C.J. Barnes led the quartet in double figures with a team-high 27 points to go with five rebounds while junior guard Elijah Davis tossed in 16 points with three boards, two assists and a pair of steals. Senior guard Nicholas Casazza tossed in 14 points to go with four assists while senior forward Oneil Holder contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, a career-high seven assists and three blocked shots.
Sophomore guard Shon Wilson added seven points and two boards while sophomore guard Matt O'Connor scored six points and grabbed four rebounds. Junior forward Addis Ralph had five points and five rebounds while senior guard Will Brazukas contributed seven assists, four points and four boards. Freshman forward Steve Breeman netted two points and junior guard Mike Martino dished out three assists.
Moravian connected on 31-of-63 field goal attempts, 19-of-42 shots beyond the three-point line and 12-of-15 free throws. Both squads grabbed 35 rebounds and the Hounds had 27 assists and just 10 turnovers while forcing the Cardinals into 13 turnovers.
Catholic hit the opening three-pointer of the of game before Casazza answered to tie the score. A three-pointer from Holder had the Blue and Grey leading 6-5 before the Cardinals ran off nine straight points to take a 14-6 lead with 12:16 left in the first half. O'Connor ended the run with a three-pointer, and Barnes connected from deep to give the Hounds back the lead for good at 19-18 with 8:30 until the intermission. The Greyhounds would briefly push the lead into double digits twice in the first half before heading to the locker room with a 39-30 halftime advantage.
Two minutes into the second half, Moravian had a 42-32 lead after a three-pointer by Barnes, but the Cardinals would run off nine straight points to cut the Hounds' edge to one. The Blue and Grey answered with a lay-up and three-pointer from Ralph and a trey by Wilson for a 50-41 lead with 14:15 remaining. Catholic would get within four points twice but a three-pointer by Brazukas with 11:12 to play put the Greyhounds in control for good. Casazza put the Moravian edge into double figures for good with a three-pointer at the 8:52 mark, and the lead would get as big as 17 points. s
The Greyhounds are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday, January 30 when the squad hosts Drew University in a Landmark Conference game beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Johnston Hall.
